Burner assembly with crescent shuttered airplate

ABSTRACT

A burner assembly for an oil or gas dehydration system is provided which allows for standard pilot access through the burner assembly. The burner assembly includes an airplate system having a crescent shaped shutter plate.

PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/635,297, filed on Apr. 19, 2012, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to burner assemblies used in firetubes.More specifically, the present invention relates to burner assemblieshaving a shuttered airplate for controlling airflow to a flame thatheats air blown through a firetube, which acts as a heating element toheat oil and gas within an oil or gas vessel at an oil or gas well site.

BACKGROUND

Oil and gas tanks, or vessels, are commonly placed at or near oil andgas wells where the oil, gas or other hydrocarbons are extracted frombeneath the earth's surface. The hydrocarbons may be stored or undergopreliminary refinement in a vessel near the well site after beingextracted from the oil or gas well. Hydrocarbons exiting the wellcommonly include a component of water. The water component is generallynot desirable in the end product and must eventually be removed as partof the refining process.

One method of removing water from oil or gas after extraction from thewells is dehydration. This may be accomplished by heating thehydrocarbons within vessels located at or near the well site. Theheating process may be accomplished using a firetube protruding throughthe vessel through which hot air may be blown.

Near one end of the firetube, where the tube enters the vessel, is aburner assembly. At the other end of the firetube is an exhaust stack.An airplate may be used to control airflow to a combustion source orburner in the burner assembly where a flame burns to heat air that isblown through the firetube. There is generally at least one firetube andone burner assembly for each oil or gas vessel.

The burner assembly and airplate are important components of the oil/gasdehydration process because they may be used to manage combustionefficiency of the flame used to heat air blown through the heatingelement that extends into the oil or gas vessel.

The combustion efficiency is important for a number of reasons. Forexample, as combustion efficiency increases, the cost of heating the oilor gas in the vessels decreases. Also, during the combustion process,byproducts such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogendioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), soot, and ash may be formed. Thesebyproducts are regulated by the EPA, which sets specific standards andregulations for the emissions of these byproducts. The combustionefficiency may impact the emission levels of such EPA regulatedbyproducts.

Combustion efficiency is optimal when all of the fuel and all of theoxygen in the reaction chamber perfectly balance each other out, e.g.,when the Air-Fuel Ratio (“AFR”) is optimal. The AFR is affected byairflow into the combustion chamber, e.g., airflow to the flame. Sinceairflow into the combustion chamber may be controlled at the burnerassembly, the AFR may also be managed at the burner assembly. In otherwords, combustion efficiency may be managed by managing the AFR at theburner assembly.

The appropriate airflow for optimal combustion efficiency is affected bythe total airflow to a combustion source or chamber. The airflow mayaffect several combustion efficiency factors, including time,temperature, and air turbulence. If fuel is not given sufficient time toburn, residual energy will remain in the fuel. If the fuel is providedexcessive time to burn, resulting poor ADR creates long flames. Airflowmay impact the amount of time fuel has to burn. Increased air turbulencealso improves combustion efficiency as increased mixing of air and fuelwithin the combustion chamber increases the interaction and thusreaction between the air and the fuel.

Thus, increasing the air entering the combustion chamber increases thefuel that is burned until it approaches complete combustion. However, anexcess amount of air entering the combustion chamber causes heat losseswhich can reduce rate of reaction and thus the amount of fuel beingburned. Increased air entering the combustion chamber may also reducethe ratio of CO emissions.

By monitoring the temperature, CO levels, and other factors, the amountof airflow needed for optimal combustion efficiency can be gauged andthen managed at the burner assembly using an airplate to control theairflow and air turbulence.

By managing airflow at the burner assembly, airplates may also helpaddress other concerns within the firetube system. For example, airflowwithin the firetube may affect gas pressure in the exhaust stack, e.g.,draft. This may be particularly important in a natural draft system. Lowdraft pressures may cause build-up of toxic gases (e.g., CO) orexplosive gases. Such gas build-ups within the system can pose a seriousrisk of injury or death. High pressure drafts, on the other hand, mayalso be problematic by creating excessive air turbulence in the system,which prevents complete or efficient combustion. High draft pressuresmay also damage the combustion chamber and heat exchanger material fromflame impingement. Thus, a burner and airplate assembly may be importantfor managing draft pressure and reducing risks associated with high andlow pressure drafts.

Early burner assemblies commonly included a ventilated disc-shapedairplate set into the firetube to control air flow. Most early airplateswere not adjustable. Later airplate models provided for adjustable 360degree disc-shaped shutter plates that permitted airflow through theburner assembly to be modified. Most contemporary burner assembliescontinue to use a 360 degree disc-shaped shutter for adjusting theburner assembly's airflow settings.

While disc-shaped shutters of contemporary burner assemblies have theadvantage of being adjustable, they also have a number of problems ordisadvantages. One problem is that the 360 degree disc-shaped shuttersmake it difficult to configure the burner assembly to fit functionallywithin smaller diameter firetubes. The challenges of configuring burnerassemblies within smaller diameter firetubes can make it economicallyless feasible to build smaller oil or gas dehydration systems.

Another disadvantage of burner assemblies currently available is thatthe 360 degree disc-shaped shutter plates generally do not permitstandard pilot access through the burner assembly and airplate.

Furthermore, while burner assemblies with 360 degree disc-shaped shutterplates may be adjustable, the range of airflow settings may also belimited and difficult to adjust, which may lead to increasedinefficiencies in combustion and increased risks of injury to personneland the heat exchanger materials.

It is thus desirable to have a burner assembly having an airplate systemwhich permits economically configuring burner assemblies for smallerdiameter firetubes. It is also desirable to have a burner assemblyhaving an airplate system that allows standard pilot access through theburner assembly and airplate. It is also desirable to have a burnerassembly having an airplate system with improved adjustability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved burnerassembly. It is another object of the present invention to provide animproved airplate system having an adjustable shutter plate. It isanother object of the present invention to provide an improved burnerassembly and airplate system that permits standard pilot access throughthe burner assembly and airplate system.

According to one aspect of the invention, a burner assembly is providedthat includes an airplate system configured to economically permitplacement within smaller diameter firetubes. According to another aspectof the invention, a burner assembly is provided having an airplate andsystem which allows for standard pilot access through the burnerassembly and the airplate system. The airplate system components may becomprised of heat resistant materials. The airplate system componentsmay be comprised of castable or machinable materials.

According to another aspect of the invention, a burner assembly isprovided that includes an airplate system having an adjustable shutterplate that is configured in a crescent shape. (“Crescent” as used hereinrefers to a shutter plate having a shape or configuration that issubstantially arched but consists of less than a full 360 degreecircle.) According to another aspect of the invention, a burner assemblyis provided that includes an airplate system having an adjustablecrescent shaped shutter plate wherein the crescent-shaped shutter plateis configured adjacent to the airplate in a manner to provide a greaterrange of adjustability.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a burner assemblyis provided that includes an airplate system having an adjustablecrescent-shaped shutter plate wherein the crescent shape of the shutterplate is between about 250 degrees and about 265 degrees. According toanother aspect of the present invention, a burner assembly is providedthat includes an airplate system having an adjustable crescent-shapedshutter plate wherein the crescent shape of the shutter plate is betweenabout 270 degrees and about 315 degrees. According to another aspect ofthe present invention, a burner assembly is provided that includes anairplate system having an adjustable crescent-shaped shutter platewherein the crescent shape of the shutter plate is between about 185degrees and about 245 degrees.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a combustionsource such as a burner may be positioned adjacent to the airplate andadjustable crescent-shaped shutter plate. The burner assembly having anairplate system with an adjustable crescent-shaped shutter plate may beinstalled in a firetube. In accordance with another aspect of theinvention, the burner assembly and airplate system having an adjustablecrescent-shaped shutter plate may comprise part of an oil and gasdehydration system.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided forinstalling a burner assembly configured with an airplate system having acrescent shaped shutter plate for adjusting airflow. In yet anotheraspect of the present invention, a method is provided for adjusting theairflow in a burner management system used for dehydration ofhydrocarbons at an oil or gas well site.

These and other aspects of the present invention are realized in aburner assembly and airplate system as shown and described in thefollowing figures and related description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described inreference to the numbered drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a cutaway perspective of oil or gas dehydration systemshowing typical location of burner assembly within firetube inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a burner assembly andairplate system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an assembled view of an embodiment of a burner assembly andairplate system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a partially assembled view of an embodiment of a burnerassembly and airplate system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of an airplate system inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6; shows an assembled view of an embodiment of an airplate systemin accordance with the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and notlimiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appendedclaims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects ofthe invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly showeach element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and assuch, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate thevarious details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, notevery embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed so as toenable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. Thedrawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of theinvention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appendedclaims.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a cutaway view of a system for dehydrating oil orgas is shown. As shown in FIG. 1, a firetube 14 may extend into an oilor gas vessel 12 wherein the firetube 14 may be configured in a U-shape.At a first end of the firetube, a burner assembly 10 having an airplatesystem 56 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) for controlling airflow may be positionedwithin a flame arrestor housing of the firetube 14 on the outside of thevessel 12 near where the firetube 14 enters the vessel 12. At a secondend of the firetube 14, where the firetube 14 exits the vessel 12, thefiretube 14 may be configured as an exhaust stack 16. Within the vessel12, the firetube 14 may be configured in a U-shape or a series ofU-shapes to increase exposure of the firetube 14, which acts as aheating element, to hydrocarbons within the vessel 12.

A flame may be maintained at the burner assembly 10 for heating airblown through the firetube 14. An airplate system 56 (see FIGS. 5 and 6)having an adjustable shutter plate 20 may be used to manage airflow tothe flame at the burner assembly 10 and to manage airflow through thefiretube 14.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, exploded and assembled views arerespectively shown of a burner assembly 10 according to the presentinvention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a burner assembly 10 in accordancewith the present invention may include a burner nozzle 30; a burnernipple 32; a hub plate assembly which may be comprised of a hub plate22, a coupling 24, and a pilot assembly opening 50; an inspirator tube34 or a compound injector tube 34; a main burner mixer 52; a pilotassembly 54 (as also shown in FIG. 4) which may be comprised of a pilotnozzle 36, a pilot nipple 38, a pilot electrode 40, an electrode bushing48, a pilot bracket 42 with threaded securing bolts 44, and pilot mixer46; and an airplate assembly 56 (as also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) whichmay be comprised of an airplate 18, a crescent-shaped shutter plate 20,the hub plate assembly, and airplate bolts 26 a-g and flange nuts28-a-g.

The airplate 18 and the crescent shaped shutter plate 20 of the airplateassembly 56 have holes or slots for airflow, wherein the shutter plate20 may be positioned adjacent to airplate 18 and be adjustablyconfigured to permit more or less airflow through the holes or slots inthe airplate 18.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the airplate assembly 56 may be assembled bypositioning the crescent shaped shutter plate 20 between the airplate 18and a first side of the hub plate assembly and then securing the hubplate assembly to the airplate 18 so that the crescent shaped shutterplate 20 is positioned between the airplate 18 and a first side of thehub plate 22. The crescent shaped shutter plate 20 may be adjustablyheld in position adjacent to the airplate 18 using flange nuts 28 a-gand airplate bolts 26 a-g which may be inserted through holes orrecesses in the airplate 18 and the hub plate 22 and then tightened toadjustably secure the crescent shaped shutter plate 20 between theairplate 18 and the hub plate 22. The bolts may also be spot welded tothe airplate. It should be understood that the airplate assembly 56components may also be assembled using any methods or means available toone skilled in the art.

By tightening and loosening the flange nuts, the shutter plate 20 may beadjusted to increase or decrease the size of the holes or slots createdby an overlap of the shutter plate 20 and the airplate 18. One skilledin the art will appreciate that the means for positioning the shutterplate 20 adjacent to the airplate 18 will not be limited to flange nutsand bolts, but will include any means known in the art for securing andadjusting the position of the shutter plate 20 with respect to theairplate 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, the airplate 18 may include an opening in the centerof the airplate 18 to permit access by the burner nipple 32 through theairplate 18 so that the burner nipple may be connected to the hub plateassembly. The airplate 18 may also include a second opening disposedadjacent to the center opening of the airplate to permit access by thepilot assembly 54 (see FIG. 4) through the airplate 18. In a preferredembodiment of the present invention, the center opening and the adjacentsecond opening of the airplate 18 may comprise a single keyhole-shapedopening in the airplate 18 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 6, the hub plate assembly may also include apilot assembly opening 50 to permit access by the pilot assembly 54through the hub plate 22 and through the burner assembly 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the crescent-shaped shutter plate 20 may besubstantially arch-shaped having a center opening to permit accessthrough the shutter plate 20 by a burner fuel conduit, such as theburner nipple 32. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, anopening between a first end of the arch that forms the crescent-shapedshutter plate 20 and a second end of the arch that forms thecrescent-shaped shutter plate 20 may be coextensive with the centeropening of the shutter plate 20 so that said first end of the arch thatforms the crescent-shaped shutter plate 20 and said second end of thearch that forms the crescent-shaped shutter plate 20 are not joined attheir end points. The opening between the first and second ends of thearch that forms the crescent-shaped shutter plate 20 may permit accessby the pilot assembly 54 through the airplate assembly 56 and the burnerassembly 10 while also allowing the adjustability of a wide range ofairflow settings.

The first end or second end of the arch that forms the crescent-shapedshutter plate 20 may also include a finger-like extension. Thefinger-like extension may allow for greater adjustability by providingadditional shutter plate surface for contact with flange nut forsecuring the shutter plate in a setting.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shutter plate 20comprises a crescent shape of between about 250 degrees and about 265degrees. According to another aspect of the present invention, thecrescent-shaped shutter plate comprises a crescent shape of betweenabout 270 degrees and about 314 degrees. According to another aspect ofthe present invention, the crescent-shaped shutter plate comprises acrescent shape of between about 185 degrees and about 245 degrees. Ofcourse, the number of degrees defining the span of the arch forming thecrescent-shaped shutter plate is not limited by the preferredembodiment.

Having assembled the airplate assembly 56, the burner assembly 10 may befurther assembled by putting together a burner unit or burner part ofthe burner assembly 10, which may include threading a first end of theburner nipple 32 into an opening in the center of the coupling 24 on thefirst side of the hub plate 22, threading a first end of the burnernozzle 30 onto a second end of the burner nipple 32, and threading afirst end of the inspirator tube 34 into the opening in the center ofthe coupling 24 on a second side of the hub plate 22. As shown in FIGS.2 and 4, the burner nipple 32, the coupling 24, the burner nozzle 30,the inspirator tube 34, and main burner mixer 52, may each be configuredwith threaded fittings to permit connecting them as described herein. Itshould be understood that the airplate assembly 56 components may alsobe assembled using any methods or means available to one skilled in theart.

The main burner mixer 52 may be disposed on a second end of theinspirator tube 34 by threading or welding it onto the second end of theinspirator tube 34 or the main burner mixer 52 may form an integratedcomponent of the inspirator tube 23 as a singularly cast body.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the burnerassembly provides for standard pilot access, wherein a pilot forigniting the combustion source may be positioned adjacent to theairplate 18 and/or adjacent to the burner nozzle 30. The pilot assembly54 may be assembled by threading the pilot nozzle 36 onto a first end ofthe pilot nipple 38; inserting a second end of the pilot nipple 38through a first opening in the pilot bracket 42 adjacent to the threadedsecuring bolts 44; threading the pilot mixer 46 onto the second end ofthe pilot nipple 38, securing the second end of pilot nipple 38 in thepilot bracket 42 by tightening the threaded securing bolts 44; securingthe pilot electrode 40 to the pilot bracket 42 so that the pilotelectrode is adjacent and substantially parallel to the pilot nipple 38and further configuring the pilot electrode 40 so that a pilot ignitionend 40 a of the pilot electrode 40 is adjacent to the pilot nozzle 36 byextending an electrical source end 40 b of the pilot electrode 40through a second opening in the pilot bracket 42 on a first side of thepilot bracket 42 and then inserting the electrical source end 40 b ofthe pilot electrode through an outer threaded end of the electrodebushing 48 and threading the electrode bushing into a second side of thepilot bracket 42 until tight.

The electrical source end 40 b of the pilot electrode 40 may also besecured in the pilot bracket 42 by extending the electrical source end40 b of the pilot electrode 40 through the electrode bushing 48 beforeextending the pilot electrode through the pilot bracket 42 so that theelectrode bushing may be threaded into the second opening of the pilotbracket 42 on the first side of the pilot bracket 42.

The pilot nozzle 36, pilot nipple 32, threaded securing bolts 44, pilotmixer 46, pilot bracket 42, pilot electrode 40, and electrode bushing48, may each be configured with threading to permit connecting theirthreaded fittings as described herein. It should be understood that thepilot assembly 54 components may also be assembled using any methods ormeans available to one skilled in the art.

The pilot assembly 54 may be disposed in the burner assembly 10 byextending the pilot assembly through the pilot assembly opening 50 inthe hub plate 22, between the first and second ends of the arch thatforms the crescent-shaped shutter plate 20, and through the pilotopening in the airplate 18, and configuring the pilot assembly 54 sothat the pilot assembly 54 is positioned substantially parallel to theinspirator tube 34 and the burner nipple 32 and so that the pilot nozzle36 is held in a position adjacent to burner nozzle 30 as shown in FIG.3.

Increased adjustability of the airflow is thus provided whileconcurrently providing for pilot assembly 54 access through the burnerassembly 10. The airflow through the airplate 18 may be managed byadjusting the size of the holes or slots created by the overlap of theholes or slots of the airplate 18 and the shutter plate 20. The airflowspace may be increased or decreased by changing the position of theshutter plate 20 with respect to the airplate 18. The shutter plate 20may be adjusted by rotating the shutter plate 20 clockwise orcounterclockwise with respect to the airplate 18 so that the holes orslots increase or decrease in size. The flange nuts 28 a-g may beloosened to permit the shutter plate 20 to be rotated or the flange nutsmay be tightened to secure the shutter plate 20 in a selected position.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the airplate 18 maybe made of metal, steel, alloy, ceramic, or other materials that canwithstand high temperatures or are heat resistant. In accordance withanother aspect of the invention, the shutter plate 20 may be made ofmetal, steel, alloy, ceramic, or other materials that can withstand hightemperatures or are heat resistant. In accordance with another aspect ofthe invention, the airplate 18 and shutter plate 20 may be made of acastable or machinable material. One skilled in the art will appreciatethat the materials comprising the airplate and shutter plate are not belimited to metal, steel, alloy, or ceramic, but will include anymaterials known in the art to withstand the temperatures to which theairplate or shutter plate may be exposed.

FIGS. 3 through 6 provide additional perspectives of embodimentsaccording to the present invention. As can be seen from the Figures, thecrescent shape of the shutter plate 20 provides several advantages whenassembling the burner assembly 10 and airplate assembly 56 and in thefunctioning of the burner assembly 10 and airplate assembly 56 onceassembled.

The crescent shape of the shutter plate 20 permits the shutter plate 20to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the airplate 18without being substantially impeded by the pilot assembly 54. Thecrescent shape of the shutter plate may also allow for a wide range inthe number of holes or slots available for airflow through the airplate18 while providing a burner assembly configuration with adjustableairflow. Thus, the crescent shaped shutter plate 20 allows the airplateassembly 56 to be configured with an optimal balance between theavailable space for airflow and the available range of adjustability ofthe airflow space.

The burner assembly 10 may be installed in an oil or gas dehydrationsystem as shown in FIG. 1 by disposing the burner assembly in a flamearrestor housing adjacent to the end of the firetube where the firetubeenters the vessel 12. The burner assembly may be secured in the flamearrestor housing by securing the main burner mixer to a first end of athreaded pipe hub using threaded nipple or pipe fittings between theburner mixer and the threaded pipe hub. The pipe hub may be secured tothe flame arrestor housing by welding the pipe hub to a side of theflame arrestor housing. Fuel for operating the burner assembly may bedelivered to the burner assembly through fuel pipes connected to thethreaded pipe hub at a second end of the threaded pipe hub.

The present invention provides several additional benefits. The presentinvention may provide a burner assembly 10 with standard pilot access.The present invention may also allow for improved management of airflowby the airplate assembly 56. The present invention may also facilitateconfiguring a burner assembly 10 for smaller diameter firetubes.

There is thus disclosed an improved burner assembly 10 having anairplate assembly 56 with a crescent-shaped shutter plate 20. It will beappreciated that numerous changes may be made to the present inventionwithout departing from the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A burner assembly providing for adjustableairflow and pilot access comprising: an airplate assembly including acircular airplate having a plurality of openings for passage of air anda shutter plate having a plurality of openings for passage of air,wherein the shutter plate is adjustably positioned adjacent to thecircular airplate so that a plurality of openings in the airplateassembly created by an overlap of the plurality of openings in thecircular airplate and the plurality of openings in the shutter plate maybe adjusted to increase or decrease a dimension of said plurality ofopenings in the airplate assembly by rotating the shutter plate withrespect to the circulate airplate; a burner unit, including a mainburner mixer, an inspirator tube, and a burner nozzle, wherein theburner unit is positioned substantially perpendicular to the airplateassembly and wherein the main burner mixer is disposed on a first sideof the airplate assembly and the burner nozzle is disposed on a secondside of the airplate assembly and wherein the burner unit extendsthrough the airplate assembly; and a pilot assembly, including a pilotnozzle, wherein the pilot assembly is positioned substantially parallelto the burner unit and the pilot assembly extends through an opening inthe airplate assembly so that the pilot nozzle is disposed adjacent tothe burner nozzle; wherein the shutter plate is configured in asubstantially crescent shape to permit the pilot assembly to be disposedthrough the airplate assembly at an angle substantially parallel to theburner unit.
 2. The burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the shutterplate is comprised of a heat resistant material.
 3. The burner assemblyof claim 2, wherein the heat resistant material is selected from thegroup consisting of steel, alloy, and ceramic.
 4. The burner assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the airplate is comprised of a heat resistant material.5. The burner assembly of claim 4, wherein the heat resistant materialis selected from the group consisting of steel, alloy, and ceramic. 6.The burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the crescent shape of theshutter plate is comprised of an arch of between about 250 degrees andabout 265 degrees.
 7. The burner assembly of claim 1, wherein thecrescent shape of the shutter plate is comprised of an arch of betweenabout 270 degrees and about 315 degrees.
 8. The burner assembly of claim1, wherein the crescent shape of the shutter plate is comprised of anarch of between about 185 degrees and about 245 degrees.
 9. The burnerassembly of claim 1, wherein the shutter plate further comprises atleast one finger-like member extending from at least one end of an archforming the crescent shape of the shutter plate.
 10. An airplate systemproviding for adjustable airflow and pilot access for a burner assemblycomprising: a circular airplate having a plurality of openings forpassage of air; a shutter plate having a plurality of openings forpassage of air; and a hub plate configured with an opening in the hubplate to permit disposing a pilot assembly through the hub plate;wherein the shutter plate is adjustably positioned adjacent to thecircular airplate between the hub plate and the airplate so that aplurality of airplate assembly openings are created by an overlap of theplurality of openings in the circular airplate and the plurality ofopenings in the shutter plate and so that the plurality of airplateassembly openings may be adjusted to increase or decrease a dimension ofsaid plurality of airplate openings by rotating the shutter plate withrespect to the circulate airplate; and wherein the shutter plate isconfigured in a substantially crescent shape to permit the pilotassembly to be disposed through the airplate assembly at a substantiallyperpendicular angle to the airplate.
 11. The airplate system of claim10, wherein the crescent shape of the shutter plate is comprised of anarch of between about 250 degrees and about 265 degrees.
 12. Theairplate system of claim 10, wherein the crescent shape of the shutterplate is comprised of an arch of between about 270 degrees and about 315degrees.
 13. The airplate system of claim 10, wherein the crescent shapeof the shutter plate is comprised of an arch of between about 185degrees and about 245 degrees.
 14. The airplate system of claim 10,wherein the shutter plate is comprised of a heat resistant material. 15.The airplate system of claim 14, wherein the heat resistant material isselected from the group consisting of steel, alloy, and ceramic.
 16. Theairplate system of claim 10, wherein the airplate is comprised of a heatresistant material.
 17. The airplate system of claim 16, wherein theheat resistant material is selected from the group consisting of steel,alloy, and ceramic.
 18. The airplate system of claim 10, furthercomprising a pilot assembly wherein the pilot assembly is positionedsubstantially perpendicular to the airplate and the pilot assemblyextends through an opening in the airplate assembly and through anopening between a first end of an arch forming the crescent shape of theshutter plate and a second end of the arch forming the crescent shape ofthe shutter plate.
 19. The airplate system of claim 10, wherein theshutter plate further comprises at least one finger-like memberextending from at least one end of an arch forming the crescent shape ofthe shutter plate.
 20. A method of installing a burner assemblyproviding for adjustable airflow and pilot access comprising: selectingan airplate assembly including a circular airplate having a plurality ofopenings for passage of air and a shutter plate having a plurality ofopenings for passage of air, wherein the shutter plate is adjustablypositioned adjacent to the circular airplate so that a plurality ofopenings in the airplate assembly created by an overlap of the pluralityof openings in the circular airplate and the plurality of openings inthe shutter plate may be adjusted to increase or decrease a dimension ofsaid plurality of openings in the airplate assembly by rotating theshutter plate with respect to the circulate airplate and wherein theshutter plate is configured in a substantially crescent shape to permitthe pilot assembly to be disposed through the airplate assembly at anangle substantially parallel to a burner unit; selecting a burner unit,including a main burner mixer, an inspirator tube, and a burner nozzle;selecting a pilot assembly, including a pilot mixer and a pilot nozzle;disposing the burner unit substantially perpendicular to the airplateassembly so that the main burner mixer is disposed on a first side ofthe airplate assembly and the burner nozzle is disposed on a second sideof the airplate assembly and wherein the burner unit extends through theairplate assembly; disposing the pilot assembly substantially parallelto the burner unit so that the pilot assembly extends through an openingin the airplate assembly and so that the pilot nozzle is disposedadjacent to the burner nozzle; and securing the airplate assembly, theburner unit, and the pilot assembly in a flame arrestor housing.